92nd Annual Southampton 4th of July Parade

   Happy Saturday, everyone! Each year, my hometown hosts one of the biggest 4th of July parades on Long Island. Ever since I was a little girl, my family and I have been involved with the parade in some way. This year, I decided to invite all of the Miss New York and Miss New York's Outstanding Teen contestants to participate in the parade with me. I was thrilled to hear that a Katherine, Miss Queens' Outstanding Teen, Kira, Miss Cosmopolitan, and Delesia Watson, Miss Bronx, were able to participate and celebrate Independence Day Southampton style! Here are a few pictures from the parade!

With Katherine, Miss Queens' Outstanding Teen.

All four of us girls before the parade! I had such a great time getting to know these girls. They are all so sweet!

With Katherine again!

While waiting for the parade to start, I met a few sweet young ladies! I loved their spirit and had to snap a quick picture with them!

After the parade, I invited the girls to the Southampton Fire Department for a post-parade party! We had some fun taking pictures near the trucks, and we were able to climb inside the trucks too!

   I have so many people to thank for making this year's parade so much fun! First, thank you to the Town of Southampton for allowing us to appear in this year's parade! Also thank you to Ms. McQuade for driving Katherine, Kira, and Delesia to Southampton. Thank you to Joanne Pierson (my amazing grandma) and Mrs. Mangano for letting us use your convertibles for the parade. Thank you to my uncle Ray and my mom for driving us in the parade. And of course, thank you to Katherine, Kira, and Delesia for coming out to the parade! You made the parade special for hundreds of people.

   Well, this is probably going to be my last update before I leave for the 2013 Miss New York's Outstanding Teen competition. I can't believe that I will be leaving in only five days! It's crazy! Although I will not be posting about the competition on my blog as it is happening, but make sure you "like" my Facebook page for updates about how pageant weekend is going! Click here to view my page and "like" it. I am so excited!

XOXO,

Sarah 

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Hamptons Heart Ball 2013

   Happy Sunday, everyone! On June 29, I was able to attend the 2013 Hamptons Heart Ball. Each year the Hamptons Heart Ball raises thousands of dollars for the American Heart Association. This was my first year attending, and I was so excited to be manning the advocacy table! I was able to talk to attendees about two petitions I asked them to sign. One petition asks for CPR to be a high school graduation requirement in all New York State schools. The second petition asked for all New York City schools to offer 30 minutes of quality physical education classes each day. Here are some pictures from the Heart Ball:

At the advocacy table! So happy I could do what I love- raising awareness!

With the 2013 Heart Hero, Caroline Loeb!

With the inspirational Star Jones!

   I would like to thank everyone who helped to make the Heart Ball such an amazing event. We raised so much money and awareness for the American Heart Association that night, and that is truly what it is all about!

XOXO,

Sarah

Victorian Flatbush House Tour and Pageant Prep Day!

   Hey everyone! On June 9, I hopped in the car with my mom and drove to Brooklyn for a day full of excitement! Our first stop was at Angela Sbano's beautiful home for the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant Prep Day. Ms. Angela is a contestant coordinator for the Outstanding Teen contestants and graciously opened her home so that we could prepare for the upcoming Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant. The contestants and I had a great morning speaking about our platforms (click here to read about mine!), running our talents, and getting to know Shannon Ryan, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2012. I received so much advice that I can put to use as I prepare for the state pageant.
   After a morning of pageant prep, some of the Miss contestants dropped by, and we all headed to our next destination: the Victorian Flatbush House Tour Press Conference. At the press conference, I was honored to sing "God Bless America" for all of the speakers and cameras. It was a great experience! After the press conference, all of the contestants volunteered at the Victorian Flatbush House Tour. Here are a few pictures from the day:

With all of the teen contestants who were able to make it out to Brooklyn that day!

With my great friend, Alexa!

The Teen and Miss contestants who were able to help volunteer that day!

Laughing with Shannon, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen, about something! Shannon introduced me at the press conference, where I sang "God Bless America". Thanks for the great introduction, girl!

Opening the Victorian Flatbush House Tour Press Conference by singing, "God Bless America". What a great experience!

With Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz! He was such a nice man, and really fun to be around. Thank you for the Brooklyn pin, Mr. Markowitz!

With some more of the Teen and Miss contestants. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the girls so much better! I can't wait for July!

    Special thanks go to the Flatbush Development Corporation for putting together such a fun community event, and for allowing all of the contestants to volunteer for your cause! Also, thank you to  contestant coordinator, Angela Sbano, for not only inviting us to take part in this wonderful event, but for opening your home up to us all and for your great hospitality.

XOXO,

Sarah

Cedarhurst-Lawrence Memorial Day Parade

   On May 27, I was honored to participate in the annual Cedarhurst-Lawrence Memorial Day Parade! What an exciting event! I was able to meet so many nice people, especially the mayor of Cedarhurst, Andrew Parise. After speaking with Mr. Parise, I learned that his family lived in Hampton Bays, which is very close to my neighborhood! I had a wonderful time during the parade, and I enjoyed the ceremony that happened after the parade. Here are some pictures from the parade and festivities!

On the Leonardo DaVinci Lodge float!

With my friend, and fellow contestant, Marisa, at the parade. She rode with me on the float!

With Mr. Parise, the mayor of Cedarhurst.

Waving during the parade!

Taking pictures after the post-parade ceremony.

   I had only been in Cedarhurst for a few hours, but it was easy to see everyone's spirit. Everyone came together and unified to celebrate those who died to for our freedom, and that was a beautiful thing to see.

   A big shout out goes to Mr. Berkins for inviting me to participate in the parade. I would also like to thank the mayor of Cedarhurst, and everyone who put the parade together. It was truly a wonderful event that I hope I can be apart of again someday.

XOXO,

Sarah

Long Island Heart Ride Water Stop

   Hello, everyone! For the past 3 years, I have volunteered to help at the annual Long Island Heart Ride by distributing water, snacks, and other items that the bikers might need during their ride at a Water Stop. This year, I was happy to manage the first of three water stops on the bike route. I met so many wonderful people who were riding in the Heart Ride, all of which were either biking 100 miles or 50 miles. I was so inspired by the riders and their passion for staying active and raising awareness with the American Heart Association. Here are some pictures from the Water Stop!

With some of the riders as they were passing through the Water Stop!

The riders were so upbeat after finishing their 20th mile!

Me at the Water Stop!

   I am so glad I was able to be apart of the Long Island Heart Ride for a third year. The Heart Ride is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities, and I look forward to it each year. Thank you to the Heart Ride staff for allowing me to come back and volunteer, and for allowing the event to run smoothly!

XOXO,

Sarah

Children's Miracle Network Fundraising

   Hello, everyone! I would like to take a moment to talk to you all about the Children's Miracle Network. The Children's Miracle Network works to raise money for over 150 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. The funds raised by the Children's Miracle Network are used by these hospitals for research, equipment, and uncompensated care for ill children. This organization is truly an amazing one.
    The national platform of Miss America's Outstanding Teen is the Children's Miracle Network. Because of this, all Outstanding Teen contestants are encouraged to raise funds for this wonderful organization. I believe strongly in the mission of the Children's Miracle Network, and have decided to set a fundraising goal for myself. My goal is to raise $500.00 for this organization, but I cannot reach my goal alone. That is why I am reaching out to all of you. I have set up a personal fundraising page and am gladly accepting donations in order to reach my goal. With your help, I can not only raise $500.00 for the Children's Miracle Network, but we can also make the dreams of millions of children come true. Click here to view my fundraising page if you are interested in donating.

Here's a screenshot of my personal fundraising page!

   Also, stay tuned for more posts about what I've been up to with my platform, as well as upcoming events!

XOXO,
Sarah

Click here to view my fundraising page and to make a donation.
Click here to learn more about the Children's Miracle Network.

Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Workshop!

   From May 10-11, 2013, I attended the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Workshop! As a part of the workshop, my fellow contestants and I reviewed important information about the pageant in July. We also attended workshops on stage presence, nutrition, talent, and much more!
   It was so much fun getting to reunite with old friends, and meet new friends too! I bonded with all of the girls and I know that we are all going to have a great time come July for the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant. It was such an honor meeting all of the smart, talented, and sweet ladies that represent the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization!

   Thank you to Linda Monte, our director, and Linda Carbo, our contestant coordinator, for making sure the workshop taught us all of the valuable information we will need for the competition in July! You two are fabulous! I would also like to thank Kent for taking us through a run-through of the show and making sure all of our questions were answered. I want to thank Heather as well for taking us to all of our workshops, and for giving us all feedback on our talents. Lastly, thank you to all of the volunteers who took time from their day to help out the Miss New York and Miss New York's Outstanding Teen contestants prepare for the state competition!

I can't wait until July!

XOXO,

Sarah

New York Pops Birthday Gala at Carnegie Hall

   Wow! I can't believe it is already May! It seems like its only been a few days since I've posted! Time sure does fly when you are having fun and keeping busy like me!
   In January, I auditioned to sing at Carnegie Hall with Camp Broadway as a part of the New York Pops Birthday Spring Gala. I had performed at the Gala with Camp Broadway in 2012, and had such a fun time that I decided to audition again (read my post about last year's performance here). After a few months of eagerly waiting, I found out that I, along with 64 other kids from around the country, had been chosen to perform again at Carnegie Hall!
   Rehearsals kicked off on April 27 in New York City. I was thrilled to see some familiar faces at the rehearsal as well! Many of my friends from performing at the Gala last year had come back to sing again, as well as my friend from the plays Drop Dead Juliet and Everything I Needed to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play that we had performed in a few months before (such a small world!). I also met a lot of new friends at rehearsals as well!
   As part of the program, I was able to meet some really cool Broadway stars from the show The Phantom of the Opera (one of my absolute favorite shows), and participate in special acting and musical theater workshops with them!
   Before we knew it, the day had come for us to perform a "Gypsy Medley" on the Carnegie Hall stage! The performance went really well, and we all had a lot of fun performing for so many people. Did I mention that some of us bumped into Megan Hilty from SMASH backstage?! She is so beautiful and sweet in person! Here are some pictures of me and my new and old friends!

This picture is extra special to me. This is my friend Jessica and I- Jessica was my first friend EVER at Camp Broadway last year. She's one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for!

   As always, there are always so many people to thank! First, thank you to my mom who took me to the city every morning for rehearsals! Next, thank you to all of the wonderful staff at Camp Broadway who made sure we were prepared to perform at Carnegie Hall! Lastly, thank you to the New York Pops and the awesome crew and staff at Carnegie Hall who worked so hard to put a great production and concert together!

XOXO,

Sarah

NYSSMA Solo Festival

   On April 20, I participated in my ninth New York State Solo Music Association (NYSSMA) solo. At NYSSMA, students in grades K-11 perform a solo piece (for whichever instrument they play) so that they may be adjudicated by a professional musician. NYSSMA is also the first step to participating in festivals such as HMEA (Hampton Music Educator's Association), SCMEA (Suffolk County Music Educator's Association), and All State Festivals.

   Even though this was my ninth NYSSMA solo, this was my first time performing for an adjudicator in the hopes that I would be selected for All State. To participate in All State, both your solo and sight reading scores must be close to perfect. 

   I sang a level VI piece called Les Berceaux, composed by Gabriel Fauré. If you've never participated in NYSSMA, level VI is the highest, and most difficult, level offered at the festival. And for those of you who know me personally, know I don't speak French. But the journey to NYSSMA was interesting to say the least, considering I was singing a difficult piece in a language I have never spoken before. Even though there was some pressure to do well in order to go to All State, I went into my adjudication ready to do my best and have fun, because essentially, that is what NYSSMA is all about. 

   I would love to thank my choir director, Mr. Tartaglia for pushing me to do NYSSMA this year. I almost didn't participate this year because of a busy schedule, but I am glad I did. Next I need to thank the wonderful Peter Ludlow, who accompanied me as I sang for the adjudicator. And of course, thank you to my parents for giving me wonderful opportunities, such as NYSSMA, and for always believing in me.

   I wish nothing but good luck to all students who are participating in NYSSMA this weekend. I hope that you receive a high score that will take you to a festival such as SCMEA, HMEA, or All State!

XOXO

Sarah

New York State Lobby Day 2013

   On Tuesday, April 15, I was honored to participate in the American Heart Association's New York State Lobby Day in Albany. I started off the day with other advocates at a small session teaching us how to communicate with lawmakers effectively. We also reviewed our "asks" for the day: asking law makers to support the CPR in School Bill (making it mandatory for students to learn CPR as a graduation requirement), and asking lawmakers to support a Pulse Ox Bill (making it mandatory for all newborns to be screened for heart defects using a pulse ox).

   Afterwards, I headed over the the official Hands Only CPR station, where I volunteered to teach people walking by Hands Only CPR. Michele, the woman in charge of the station was so nice, and I had a great time taking an hour from my day to teach people CPR.

Teaching Hands Only CPR to people!

   After teaching CPR, I went straight to my first meeting. I first met with Lisa Lombardo, who was a staff member in Assemblyman Thiele's office. The meeting went well, and I even gave her the link to my Southampton High School CPR video, which you can see here. Later, I met with Senator LaValle who I was thrilled to hear supported both bills one hundred percent! After our meeting, I even got to discuss school and my plans for the future with him! He was such a nice man! Next, I met off the floor with Assemblyman McDonough and I got some good vibes from him! My last meeting of the day was with a staff member of Senator Martins, and it seemed to be a positive meeting!

With Senator LaValle after my meeting with him!

In front of the Lobby Day sign!

   I had such a great time at the Lobby Day! I would like to thank Julie Hart and Robin Vitale for inviting me to take part in a day dedicated to raising awareness and making a difference. I also want to thank Jessica DiMeo who attended all of the meetings with my mom and me. She was wonderful company and helped us so much! Lastly, thank you to my mom who drove me to Albany and allowed me to take part in Lobby Day. Soon, I'll be able to drive myself! :)

XOXO

Sarah

Festival Disney and My Birthday!

   For the past year, my school's mixed choir has worked super hard to fly down to Walt Disney World and participate in Festival Disney. From April 12 to April 14 we were able to do just that. As part of the festival, over 50 schools from all over the country perform for adjudicators who are professional musicians. All eighteen members of the Southampton High School Mixed Choir were thrilled to be apart of the special Festival Disney event.

We took a quick picture after arriving at Orlando International Airport! Our wonderful director, Mr. Tartaglia, is in the middle in the front of the group!

   On April 12, we spent the majority of the day at Disney's EPCOT park and had some fun before our adjudication at 7:00pm. After our adjudication, we were critiqued by one of the adjudicators as part of our experience at Festival Disney. She had some great things to say, and we left the adjudication with valuable lessons and the knowledge that we did our very best. Click here to see some videos of our performance!

At EPCOT with some of my friends, Kaley, Madison, Johanna, and Emily!

How many girls can you fit into a phone booth? Six! We took this picture in the World Showcase in England!

My wonderful friends and I! (From left to right) Emily, Johanna, Me, Madison, Peter, Kaley, and my sister Shelby!

   April 13 was a very exciting day. Not only was it the day that we would find out our official Festival Disney score, but it was also my sixteenth birthday! Can you say sweet sixteen? And to make the occasion extra special, two of my close friends, Madison and Kaley, flew out to Orlando to celebrate my birthday with me! We spent most of the day in the Magic Kingdom park and it ended up being everyone's favorite park! At 6:00 we headed over to Disney's Hollywood Studios for the exciting Festival Disney show where we received our "Excellent" rating! My favorite mouse, Mickey, even made a few guest appearances. It was the best birthday!

   On April 14, we spent the morning at Disney's Hollywood Studios and had our fill of thrill rides! Then at 12:00 we attended "Disney's Broadway Sings" workshop at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort! The workshop lasted three hours and took us through the entire Broadway process, from auditioning, to final performances. I was thrilled to be cast as Mary Poppins for our performance of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from the Broadway show, "Mary Poppins". Click here to see our performance!

   After the workshop, I returned to the hotel my mom, sister, aunt, and friends who weren't in the mixed choir were staying at. My parents had booked an extra day for me to stay in Disney to celebrate my birthday! We ate dinner at my favorite restaurant, 50's Prime Time, and my mom had even booked a reservation for us to go out onto Bay Lake (the lake directly across from the Magic Kingdom) on a pontoon boat to watch Wishes! firework show. Unfortunately, it started raining and we had to get off the lake as quickly as possible. I had a great time laughing with my friends, though, and we ended up watching the fireworks from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort!

At 50's Prime Time with my friends, and our hilarious waitress, Cousin Patty!

With Madison and Kaley! I was so happy they came to Disney with me!

With my wonderful mother, who made the trip go as smoothly as possible! She is our go-to Disney guru!

   I would love to thank so many people for this wonderful experience. First, to my parents for letting me attend the trip and celebrate my birthday in Disney World with my friends. Second, to my friends for spending my birthday with me! I love you all so much! Next, to Festival Disney for planning such a wonderful program that definitely brought magic to me! Last, and most definitely not least, thank you to my wonderful director, Mr. Tartaglia, for planning this trip and preparing us so well for our adjudication! My 14th trip to Disney World was truly a memorable one!

XOXO 

Sarah

Teen Repertory Company 2013

   For all of those who celebrate, Happy Easter! The past holiday weekend has been jam-packed with rehearsals and performances of two plays I was thrilled to be a part of: Drop Dead Juliet and All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play.

   For those of you who know me personally, you know that I never pass up a chance to be on stage! Both of these plays were a part of the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center's Teen Repertory Company. I have been a part of the Company since 2011 and have loved performing in shows with all of my friends from over the years. This year was no different. 

   For months, my fellow cast mates and I attended rehearsals and worked as hard as possible to perform the show as best we could. Before we knew it, the shows had arrived and it was time to show the community how much we had prepared. Both plays were comedies, and the audience seemed to love the shows!

My fellow cast mates and I with our wonderful director, Julienne Penza!

   I had such a wonderful time preparing these shows with my friends! The Teen Repertory Company has taught me so much about acting technique, and stage presence. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! Thank you to Julienne for being such a wonderful director! You have taught me so much since we met when I was in sixth grade. I can't wait for next year's Teen Repertory Company!

To learn more about the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, click here.

To learn more about the Teen Repertory Company and the Teen Theater Project, click here.

XOXO,

Sarah 

Miss Long Island's Outstanding Teen 2013

   Well, it's official! I will once again be representing Long Island as Miss Long Island's Outstanding Teen 2013 at the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant this July! I am thrilled that I will once again be able to raise awareness of my platform, Heart U. This is something that the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization has given me a chance to do.

   I have some wonderful and exciting things planned for this year. I hope you continue to follow me throughout my year on this blog, and you may also follow my year through my personal Facebook account, my Heart U Facebook Page, or my Heart U Blog.

   I am looking forward to the exciting year ahead of me!

XOXO,

Sarah

Miss Long Island's Outstanding Teen 2013

Welcome Home, Miss America!

   Whew! What a busy week it has been! This past week my schedule has been filled with March Madness Spirit Week preparations, Varsity Softball practice, play rehearsals, and a chorus concert. Despite the hectic week I had, I still made time to take a trip to the New York Fashion Institute of Technology and attend the Miss America Homecoming Show on Saturday, March 16.
   The show was AMAZING and I was glad to reconnect with some of my Outstanding Teen and Miss New York friends! Not only that, but I was able to meet some really cool people at the Welcome Home After Party!

With Alexa Moley, Miss Richmond County's Outstanding Teen 2012. I met Alexa at the Miss New York's Outstanding Teen Pageant in June and we became great friends! She is such a sweet, funny, and genuine girl. I am happy to call her my friend!

With Ashley, Miss Staten Island's Outstanding Teen 2013. I didn't even have to approach this sweet girl because as soon as she saw me she treated me like she had known me my whole life. It was such a pleasure to meet her, and I cannot wait to compete with her in July!

With Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010, Acacia Courtney, Miss NYC 2013, and Kira Kazam, Miss Cosmopolitan 2013! 

In front of the official Miss America Homecoming backdrop!

With Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998! A few years ago, I had the privilege of watching her perform in Legally Blonde on Broadway. I was so excited to learn that she would be attending the Homecoming! After taking a quick photo with her, I gave her a Red Dress Pin and explained my platform, Heart U, to her. She seemed really excited to learn about it, and she promised me she would look up the Go Red for Women Initiative when she got home. I even talked about my Broadway idol, Sutton Foster, with her! She was such a thrill to speak with!

With our Miss America. It took a few minutes to track her down for a picture- she was being pulled in every direction! But after taking a quick picture with Mallory, I gave her a Red Dress Pin and explained my platform to her. She didn't have much time to chat, but she seemed interested in what I had to say! 

With Shannon Oliver, our new Miss New York! She is so talented! I gave Shannon a Red Dress Pin as well, and she seemed very interested in my platform. Like Mallory, Shannon was being pulled in many directions, so I was happy to have gotten a picture with her!

One of the people I was most excited to meet was Rachel Wyatt, Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2013. I had heard that she was an unbelievably sweet girl, and I can testify to that! Not only did she take a picture with me, but I also had a wonderful conversation with her about my involvement in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Program and my platform. She was very sweet when she thanked me for the Red Dress Pin I gave her!

With Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2012, Shannon Ryan, and Miss Queen's Outstanding Teen 2013, Katherine McQuade! Great to see you both again!

Again with Shannon, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen. What a sweet, sweet girl! As soon as she saw me, she came straight up to me and gave me a big hug! Shannon is probably one of the nicest girls I have met, and I'm so glad I got to see her last night! I can't wait to see her again at the Miss New York and Outstanding Teen workshop!

   There were even more people at the Homecoming Party! Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, Caressa Cameron, Miss America 2010, Susan Powell, Miss America 1981, and other former and current state titleholders! All in all, I thought it was an eventful and fun night!

Welcome Home, Miss America!

XOXO,

Sarah